The house looks like it has about four rooms, and there's a large open space in front; it looks like it'll have a yard too. Who built this house here?
Recently, so many families in the village have been busy building houses, including Cheng's own. She hadn't noticed any family members coming to this area before.
"Uncle Li, whose house was built next to that dilapidated temple?" Cheng asked, pointing to the side with a puzzled look.
Uncle Li squatted down and stretched his head forward slightly, taking two deep drags on his pipe. Then he shook his head blankly, "I don't know. I heard the village head say that the people building this house are recruiting workers in the village, paying twenty coins a day."
“If I weren’t so old and had to drive an oxcart, I would have signed up too. Twenty coins a day, wow, that’s quite a lot.”
Upon hearing this, Cheng exclaimed in surprise, "When did this happen? The village chief is recruiting people from our village?"
Uncle Li, of course, had no idea why Madam Cheng was reacting so strongly, and nodded affirmatively.
Cheng looked at Zhao Xiangnan with resentment and muttered in a low voice, "It seems that the village head has a grudge against our family because of what happened last time. Look, he even kept this money-making job a secret from us."
Zhao Xiangnan frowned in dissatisfaction and said, "He's supposed to be a village head, yet he holds a grudge over such a trivial matter for so long. No, I have to talk to my mother about this when we get back and let her make the decision."
"Alright, I'll just send some gifts to the head of the village as an apology." Cheng thought to herself that since she was going to make money anyway, she could afford to send gifts.
As the couple were whispering to each other, Tiezi's mother arrived carrying her luggage. She had very little stuff; all her belongings filled only one bundle, far less than Cheng's.
It was the first time Cheng had separated from her husband, Zhao Xiangnan, and she felt quite reluctant to part. She repeatedly reminded him to take good care of their three children at home and not let them be bullied.
Zhao Xiangnan didn't care whether he understood or not; he just kept nodding.
Only after Cheng's oxcart had driven far away did Zhao Xiangnan dare to show a slight smile. Since their marriage, this was the first time he hadn't had to listen to Cheng's daily nagging.
Previously, Cheng had been controlling of him every day, from not allowing him to smoke tobacco to making him wash his feet before bed, which made Zhao Xiangnan feel very restricted!
The sun was gradually rising in the east, illuminating the entire Changfeng Village. The morning breeze traveled through the river and mountains, reaching the lush green wheat fields of Changfeng Village.
The morning breeze was slightly cool.
The peace at He Tiantian's house was not so peaceful. The family was worried that the goat they had bought would be stolen if it was left outside, so after much deliberation, they decided to bring it inside.
But we have too many pets at home, and animals have very sensitive hearing. Even the slightest sound will trigger a chain reaction.
Chickens fly and dogs jump, rabbits hop and sheep run.
Not only did He Tiantian not sleep well that night, but Sister-in-law Yulan and the four children also had dark circles under their eyes.
He Tiantian sat on a straw mat and directed Zhao Denglong, "Denglong, quickly lead the sheep out; it can't take it anymore."
When the female goat poops, it leaves little pellets everywhere. The smell is truly pungent, even worse than chicken droppings.
Zhao Denglong quickly got up and led the goat to the bamboo grove behind the house, where there was grass on the ground, so he wouldn't have to go and pluck grass to feed the goat.
"Maruko, take the little rabbit out too, just make sure it doesn't run too far."
"Yulan, why don't you take Wujin and Yezi out for a walk too, so they don't have to keep chasing chickens around inside?"
After giving a series of instructions, He Tiantian finally turned her attention to Liu Shuixian.
Liu Shuixian blinked. "Auntie, how about... I chase the chickens out too?"
"No, no, there are thirty chickens, they'll run away and we won't be able to catch them. Go play with the rabbits with Wanzi." He Tiantian waved her hand, her eyes somewhat empty and blank.
She didn't sleep well; she didn't sleep well all night.
Liu Shuixian quickly ran out.
With dark circles under her eyes, Sister Yulan started cooking the rice and couldn't help but yawn.
"Maruko's mom, you can sleep a little longer. I'll wake you up when dinner is ready."
He Tiantian nodded, then fell back and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Finally, it's quiet again.
Cheng and Tiezi's mother arrived in Changning County in a rickety oxcart. The restaurant "Wanchunlou" that Tiezi's mother had mentioned was located in the most prosperous area of the entire county.
Although it was morning, pedestrians were coming and going on both sides of the street. Shops along the street were gradually opening their doors.
Tiezi's mother led Cheng to the Wanchunlou Restaurant, a grand four-story establishment. Cheng couldn't help but look around with curiosity.
Goodness, she had never seen a house like this before. How was it built?
Won't it collapse if it's built that high? These city people really know how to enjoy life. A meal here must be expensive, right?
In the morning, Wanchunlou Restaurant is not yet open; customers usually start coming in for lunch around noon. The restaurant is busiest in the evening.
Tiezi's mother wiped her hands on her clothes, then went up and knocked on the door.
Before long, a young waiter came to open the door.
The young waiter looked to be only eleven or twelve years old, thin and frail, wearing the restaurant's uniform. The uniform seemed a bit too big, so he had to tie it up with a belt around his waist.
"Young man, I was hired by your boss to do odd jobs. We agreed on that yesterday," Tiezi's mother said with a smile.
"Oh, Manager Guan told me. Auntie, you can just call me Xiaosheng. The manager is inside." Xiaosheng said, leading Tiezi's mother and Cheng Shi inside.
Manager Guan was in the kitchen checking the ingredients delivered that morning. After the young man led the two to the door, he asked them to wait there.
The backyard of Wanchunlou is really big, with so many twists and turns that even Cheng Shi's eyes couldn't take it all in.
She stood behind Tiezi's mother, looking at the stern-faced shopkeeper in front of her. Cheng unconsciously shrank back, sensing that the shopkeeper seemed rather unapproachable.
The two waited in the courtyard for a long time until Manager Guan finished checking the delivered ingredients.
Only then did they see Tiezi's mother and Cheng Shi.
He walked up to the two of them, his face dark, and asked calmly, "What are your names?"
Tiezi's mother quickly introduced herself, "Manager Guan, everyone in the village calls me Tiezi's mother. You can call me that."
Manager Guan glanced at Tiezi's mother, his face darkening even more. He frowned and said impatiently, "What 'Tiezi's mother'? I'm asking what your name is, what your surname is, and what your given name is."
This question really stumped Tiezi's mother.
She had been married to Zhang the Scoundrel for almost twenty years. At first, the villagers called her Scoundrel's wife, but after Tiezi was born, they called her Tiezi's mother.
Actually, her surname is Wan, and her given name is Wan Daomi (万稻米). Her mother gave birth to her during the rice harvest season, hence the name.
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